If radiating pain in your legs or lower back is keeping you awake, it may be time to consider a mattress for sciatica. To find the best mattresses for sciatica—namely, extra-supportive beds that excel at pressure relief—we consulted medical experts and considered our own extensive mattress-testing background. The Saatva Classic is our number one choice because of its second-to-none support, additional lumbar reinforcements and pressure-relieving Euro pillow top. We also love the balanced design of the DreamCloud Hybrid, which marries medium-firm support with dense layers of memory foam.
The best mattresses for sciatica include beds from Saatva, DreamCloud and Helix, among others.
Below, we highlight five more quality mattresses that are made with premium materials designed to help promote alignment and relieve pressure points. And while upgrading your mattress can help improve your condition, it’s not the only avenue you should take. In addition to swapping mattresses, consult with your doctor and work together on developing an effective treatment plan.
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Best Mattress For Sciatica Overall: Saatva Classic (Queen)
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Best Value Mattress For Sciatica: DreamCloud Hybrid (Queen)
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Best Mattress For Side Sleepers With Sciatica: Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen)
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Best Mattress For Heavy Sleepers With Sciatica: The WinkBed Plus (Queen)
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Best Mattress For Sciatica Pressure Relief: Purple RestorePremier Hybrid (Queen)
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Best Memory Foam Mattress For Sciatica: Loom & Leaf (Queen)
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Best Cooling Mattress For Sciatica: Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid (Queen)
Saatva
Saatva Classic (Queen)
Type: Innerspring hybrid | Firmness: Plush, luxury firm or firm | Delivery: Free white glove delivery ($99 returns) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
What you’ll love:
- Customizable firmness and height
- Zoned design and sturdy edges
- Free in-room delivery and mattress removal
Keep in mind:
- Prone to motion transfer
- Costs $99 to return
The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring hybrid designed to promote proper alignment and boasts several features that accommodate those who live with sciatica pain. The center of the mattress features a thick layer of firm pocketed coils and a spinal wire to support the lumbar, along with a strip of high-density memory foam to relieve pressure. Surrounding the perimeter is a high-density foam rail for stable edges so you can easily climb in and out of bed. In the comfort layer is a layer of microcoils which helps reinforce the spine and prevent sagging.
Choose from three firmness levels as well as two height options: 11.5 or 14.5 inches. Plush offers ample pressure relief for side sleepers while back and stomach sleepers should consider the luxury firm option for a supportive option that doesn’t compromise on cushion. And for sciatica, you may want a shorter, firmer mattress. Luckily, you get ample time to test it out since Saatva offers a full year to try it out at home. There’s also a lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery with optional removal of your old mattress and foundation, a nice perk if you’re dealing with a bad back. Honorable mention goes to the Saatva Rx, a specialty mattress made for sleepers with chronic and serious back and joint conditions. It features more pressure-relieving materials and better motion isolation.
What our testers say: In our Saatva Classic review, former Forbes Vetted editor Lindsey Vickers (who tested the Luxury Firm version) says, “The Saatva Classic has outstanding edge support. Sitting and lying on the side of the mattress is no problem.” Meanwhile, she adds, “It was supportive enough that I never woke up with pain in my lower back, which is something I frequently have after sleeping on mattresses that are softer.” Senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman adds, “The Saatva Classic is a really high-quality option with outstanding edge support.”
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Hybrid (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
What you’ll love:
- Excellent value for money
- Balanced comfort and support for back sleepers
- Dampens movement well for a hybrid
Keep in mind:
- May be too firm for strict side sleepers
- Edge support could be better
If you struggle with sciatica, studies have shown (and our expert agrees) that a medium-firm mattress can help promote comfort and better spinal alignment to curb pain—and the DreamCloud is one of our favorites (especially for the money). With a soft cashmere-blend cover, an inviting pillow top, and thick pocketed coil layer for support, it wouldn’t look out of place at a 5-star hotel. In reality, it’s one of the most affordable mattresses out there.
A queen fetches less than $700 during regular DreamCloud mattress sales. You also receive free shipping and returns, a one-year sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. This hybrid stands out for its exceptional motion isolation, and at 12 inches tall it shouldn’t be too prohibitive for most people to get in and out of bed. Back, stomach and combination sleepers in particular should appreciate its supportive profile and pressure-relieving memory foam.
What our testers say: Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep updates writer Alexandra Garrett says, “While back sleeping, the DreamCloud Hybrid properly held and supported me—I even felt some areas of my lower back decompressing, similar to what I felt on the Saatva Firm and Bear Elite. I like that there is a nice balance of support and cushioning. And even as a lightweight sleeper under 150 pounds, I enjoyed this bed while lying on my side. My hip and shoulder felt relaxed with no pressure build-up and my spine felt aligned, so I’m not worried about my back pain flaring up.”
Helix Sleep
Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen)
Forbes Vetted readers get 27% off sitewide and two free Dream Pillows with a mattress purchase or free bedding bundle (two Dream Pillows, sheet set and mattress protector) with a Luxe or Elite mattress purchase using code FORBES27.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
What you’ll love:
- Balanced comfort for side sleepers (and some back sleepers)
- Great pressure relief plus dedicated lumbar support
- Optional GlacioTex cover is effectively cooling
Keep in mind:
- Some people may find it too plush
- At 13.5 inches, it may be too high for shorter sleepers
Side sleepers feel the most pressure against their shoulders and hips. This means a side sleeper’s mattress should be ultra-forgiving in these places and offer plenty of pressure relief, without losing out on support. In our experience, the Helix Midnight Luxe offers a nice balancing act between the two. Although this is one of the softest beds on our list with a 6-rated medium firmness (out of 10), it has firmer coils in the middle to prevent your midsection from sinking and around the perimeter for stronger edge support, along with multiple memory foam layers to help cushion your joints. We recommend people with sciatica opt for the ErgoAlign layer upgrade, which makes the center of the mattress underneath your back more supportive, sturdy and helps promote spinal alignment. If you tend to break into a sweat in your sleep, go for the upgraded GlacioTex cover ($199) to enhance the breathability of this hybrid so you can remain comfortably cool at night.
What our testers say: Garrett sums up her Helix Midnight Luxe review by saying, “Side sleepers, back sleepers and back-pain sufferers should appreciate the bed’s excellent pressure relief and support. Hot sleepers can keep cool with the mattress’ GlacioTex cover and breathable hybrid construction, and combination sleepers can benefit from the Midnight Luxe’s slight bounce and lifted feel.” Chapman adds, “This mattress tested really well for cooling, support and motion isolation, so I think it’s a great fit for couples.”
WinkBeds
The WinkBed Plus (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
What you’ll love:
- A durable combo of coils, latex and high-density foam
- Specialty LumbarLayer at the center of the mattress
- Supports 450 pounds per side (900 pounds total)
Keep in mind:
- No in-room delivery option for this heavy bed
A typical mattress supports up to 250 pounds per side, but the WinkBed Plus can accommodate up to 450 pounds per side. (For insurance, the brand says it’s been pressure-tested by a third-party to ensure durability.) This hybrid also yields an innerspring feel and features high-density foam, a seven-zone latex layer and reinforced coils. There’s a specialty LumbarLayer for extra support in the middle, as well as enhanced edges so you can sit comfortably. The cherry on top is its light and fluffy pillow top, which makes the bed feel more luxurious and cushy. Although it’s rated firm, sleepers over 350 pounds may find it closer to medium-firm. Shipping is free, but the WinkBed Plus is an unwieldy mattress so we recommend finding someone to help you set it up, especially if you’re dealing with a sciatica flare-up.
What our testers say: ”The WinkBed Plus is extremely supportive, but it still has the same high-end feel as the other WinkBed models,” says Chapman. “Its materials make it quite bouncy and easy to move around on, and make it a great cooling option for hot sleepers.”
Purple
Purple RestorePremier Hybrid (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft or firm | Delivery: Free shipping and returns, or choose in-home setup for $200 | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
What you’ll love:
- GelFlex Grid offers outstanding pressure relief
- In-room delivery is available (but costs extra)
- Sleeps exceptionally cool
Keep in mind:
- On the taller side at 13 inches
Memory foam is a popular material but can be off-putting to some who dislike the sinkage it provides—especially if you’re already dealing with sciatica. Here’s a remedy: The Purple RestorePremier Hybrid uses a completely unique material instead. Purple’s proprietary GelFlex Grid is a pressure relieving and supportive materials that squishes underneath the pressure points to help people ease their aches and pains. It gives the bed a responsive, cushiony feel that makes you feel like you’re lying on top of the surface rather than sinking into it–almost like you’re floating. It’s similar to latex foam, but a bit more soft and cushy. A bonus for hot sleepers: the GelFlex Grid sleeps a lot cooler than memory foam, especially when combined with coils. It’s available in soft or firm; note that the latter should fall in the medium-to-firm range for most sleepers and is the best choice for most people with sciatica. If you don’t want to set up this beefy bed yourself, you can pay $200 for in-room delivery.
What our testers say: Forbes Vetted executive editor Dave Johnson is a fan of this bed’s pressure relief. As he mentions in his Purple RestorePremier Hybrid review: “I felt no buildup of pressure in my shoulder blades, lower back or hips [when sleeping on my back], as I have routinely encountered with stiffer mattresses. On my side (how I most commonly sleep), there’s essentially no pressure buildup at all anywhere on my body, not even on my shoulder or hips.”
Loom & Leaf
Loom & Leaf (Queen)
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Relaxed firm or firm | Delivery: Free white glove delivery ($99 returns) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime
What you’ll love:
- Comes in two firmness levels
- Emphasis on lumbar support
- Excellent motion isolation (good for couples)
Keep in mind:
- Prone to trapping heat
- Costs $99 to return it
The Loom & Leaf Mattress is Saatva’s all-foam offering. The main comfort material is memory foam, a pressure relieving and contouring material for people who live with sciatica pain. It features a memory foam lumbar crown under the spine for added support, gel-infused memory foam for temperature regulation and a denser type near the bottom for support and that deep hugging feel. But one of the best parts about its design is its quilted, zoned pillow top. It’s made with soft organic cotton that helps wick away moisture and gives the mattress a plusher, more cushioned feel. And with two firmness levels to choose from—relaxed firm and firm—you can choose the right amount of support that you’re looking for to help ease your nighttime aches.
What our testers say: I slept on a relaxed firm Loom & Leaf Mattress during a severe flare-up of my lower back injury. This mattress could not have arrived at a better time. The localized support for my lumbar, coupled with oodles of pressure relief, made sleeping with my sore back a lot more bearable. I won’t say that it was solely responsible for my recovery, but it definitely played a role in my improvement.
Leesa
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid (Queen)
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Plush, medium or firm | Delivery: Free shipping and returns; in-home setup available from $159| Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years
What you’ll love:
- Reinforced coils in the middle and along the edges
- Available in three levels of firmness
- Maintains a comfortable sleep temperature
Keep in mind:
- Warranty and trial could be longer compared to competitors
- Doesn’t “hug” much (if you’re looking for that)
If you’re hit with the double whammy of sciatica pain and night sweats, a cooling mattress like the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid delivers a one-two punch to keep those unpleasant sleep disruptions at bay. It comes in three comfort levels and features reinforced coils in the middle and along the perimeter so you’re well-supported whether you’re lying down or sitting on the edge. On top is a cooling cover designed to keep your skin temperature at 88 degrees (which is considered ideal for sleep), followed by foam layers that help draw away body heat while simultaneously relieving pressure. Free shipping is available, or choose in-room delivery (from $159) if you’d prefer to avoid further back strain.
What our testers say: Chapman tested the medium-firm model of the Sapira Chill Hybrid and says, “I was super impressed by this mattress. It offers a plush, luxury feel with plenty of support that I found comfortable for all three sleeping positions. I do think it feels a little softer than advertised, so keep that in mind when choosing your firmness. But overall, it tested well in edge support, cooling, responsiveness and even motion isolation.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we know sleep. Our writers and editors have years of experience researching and testing products, evidenced by an entire library of sleep and mattress stories.
- McKenzie Dillon, author of this story, is a mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted with almost six years of mattress testing under her belt. She is also a certified sleep science coach and stress management coach. Dillon works alongside senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman to oversee our collection of mattress guides and reviews. Together, they’ve tested over 120 beds, including several on this list.
- To supplement our research and knowledge, we consulted several experts including Dr. Michael Gerling, American Board Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon of the Gerling Institute, and Staci Hildebrandt, Doctor of Physical Therapy.
- We regularly update this article to ensure it says fresh and accurate. It was last updated in March 2025 by mattress updates writer Alexandra Garrett to add more information about how we chose the mattresses on our list.
How We Chose The Best Mattresses For Sciatica
To determine the best mattresses for sciatica, we spoke with medical experts and leveraged our collective mattress-testing experience to weigh the pros and cons of over a dozen contenders.
- To generate an initial list of contenders, we considered top-rated mattresses from brands we know and trust. From there, we sought mattresses that are heralded for their balanced support and exceptional pressure relief, two qualities that sleepers with sciatica should prioritize when shopping for a new bed.
- Every mattress on this list has also been tested by a member of our team, so we can personally speak to their performance.
- We leveraged insights from Gerling and Hildebrandt to make sure our picks are designed to alleviate symptoms of sciatica.
- We took customer reviews into consideration when compiling this list, paying close attention to sleepers who mentioned dealing with sciatica or another form of lower back pain. Every mattress in this guide earned a customer review rating of 4 stars or higher out of 5.
What To Look For In The Best Mattress For Sciatica
When you live with sciatica pain, it’s especially important to invest in your sleep. According to Gerling, “Low-quality mattresses are less likely to maintain the neutral alignment of the spine,” as a result “the misalignment can cause irritation to the nerve roots.” Finding a mattress that helps ease symptoms of sciatica means taking a few specific factors into consideration. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Mattress Type
There are four main types of mattresses: hybrid, memory foam, innerspring and latex. For individuals with sciatica, we recommend hybrid and memory foam mattresses the most. Both types excel at pressure relief, thanks to the presence of memory foam comfort layers; although if you’re in need of more sturdy support, we recommend a hybrid mattress which pairs foam with coils.
Pressure Relief
If you have sciatica, you want a mattress that can remove pressure from your lower back. Note that memory foam tends to be soft with a profound sink-in feeling, while latex is generally firmer and more buoyant. Opting for a hybrid of foam and springs provides a balance of pressure relief and support.
Firmness Level
Studies show that a medium-firm mattress is best for sciatica, and Staci Hildebrandt, Doctor of Physical Therapy, also points to a medium to firm mattress as the best option because of it offers the best support. Although, you want to choose a comfort level that best suits your sleep style and body composition. Try to avoid sleeping on a plush mattress that causes your midsection to sink and throw your spine out of alignment. Meanwhile, you can skew firmer if you like to sleep on your back, but be careful if you’re a dedicated side sleeper since you want to prevent pressure buildup along your knees, hips and shoulders.
Ease Of Movement
With sciatica, you need to be mindful of how easy it is to get in and out of bed. Edge support and mattress height are two key factors to consider here. A bed with strong edges makes it easy to push off if you need to sit before standing up or lying down.
Avoid a bed that’s too tall. For most people with sciatica, the best option is 10 to 12 inches high, but this varies based on an individual’s height and level of mobility. A quick way to determine if your mattress is a good height: Make sure your knees can bend at a 90-degree angle with your feet flat on the floor when sitting at the edge of the bed.
Trial
Finding the right mattress for your sciatica may take time. Even if you’re able to try out a mattress in a store, you get a better idea of whether it’s a good fit after sleeping on it for a while. Every mattress on our list includes an at-home trial period of 90 nights to a full year. While most brands offer free returns, some may charge a nominal fee. Read the terms and conditions carefully.
More Sleep Advice For Those With Sciatica
A good mattress can certainly help with sciatica, but it’s not the only thing you should rely on to alleviate discomfort. Adding a mattress topper for back pain is a possible way to limit discomfort if you don’t want to replace your bed outright. You can also use a pillow for pain; Hildebrandt says side sleepers should sleep with a pillow between their knees to help relieve pressure, while back sleepers should keep a pillow beneath their knees.
Sleeping prone (on your stomach) is not recommended since it can arch your back and put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Mattress Firmness Is Best For Sciatica?
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What Mattress Firmness Is Best For Sciatica?
Typically, a medium-firm mattress is ideal for most people with sciatica. “When your body dips too deeply into an overly soft mattress or bony prominences are pressed too firmly on a hard mattress, sections of the spine can sit out of their neutral alignment and develop inflammation of the spinal joints and disks,” says Gerling. Most medium-firm beds offer enough support to keep the spine in a neutral alignment, while also providing enough give to relieve pressure and cushion the joints and sensitive spots along the lower back.
